A major cocaine supply network dubbed the ‘Scarface’ network has been dismantled following the arrest and conviction of Daniel Bruford, a 27-year-old drug dealer from Tonbridge, who ran the operation across west Kent.
Police seized a cache of weapons, including samurai swords, nunchucks, a spear, machetes, knuckle dusters, and an extendable baton from Bruford’s home in Mount Pleasant Court, Hildenborough during a raid on September 27, 2024. Officers also recovered cocaine deals and over £1,100 in cash.
A Year-Long Criminal Operation Uncovered
Bruford had been operating the ‘Scarface’ network for nearly a year, using multiple phones to control cocaine supply lines across the region. He facilitated over 32,000 calls and text messages advertising cocaine between October 2023 and September 2024. The system relied on “runners” who delivered drugs to customers based on postcode drop points, all coordinated via text.
PC James O’Gorman, who led the investigation, said: “The evidence against Bruford was damning. Our analysis of his phones led to the retrieval of messages and voice notes discussing prices and quantities of drugs, as well as several threats of serious violence.”
He added that the vast array of weapons found in Bruford’s home was “an indication of the lengths he was prepared to go to enforce and protect his criminal operation.”
Swift Justice and Sentencing
Bruford was arrested in the early hours of September 27 and pleaded guilty within 24 hours at Medway Magistrates’ Court to several charges, including:
- Being concerned in the supply of cocaine (October 2023 – September 2024)
- Possessing criminal property (the seized cash)
- Possessing offensive weapons
He was sentenced on February 12, 2025, at Maidstone Crown Court to five years and six months in prison. In addition to his sentence, Bruford will be subject to a financial investigation under the Proceeds of Crime Act to recover any illicit profits made through his drug dealing.
‘We Are Relentlessly Targeting Dealers’
PC O’Gorman emphasized the significance of dismantling such a large-scale operation, stating, “Criminals like Bruford think nothing of the despair and misery they bring to our communities. However, as this case demonstrates, we are continuing to relentlessly target and disrupt their activities. We know the work we’re doing is making it much harder for dealers to establish a foothold.”
The takedown of the ‘Scarface’ network is part of an ongoing effort by Kent Police to crack down on county lines drug networks and organized crime, which have plagued communities with violence and addiction.
Community Impact and Moving Forward
Local residents in Tonbridge and surrounding areas have expressed relief following the arrest, with one neighbor saying, “It’s a comfort to know that someone so dangerous is off our streets. The weapons they found alone are terrifying.”
Kent Police continue to encourage anyone with information on drug dealing or suspicious activity to contact them or report anonymously through Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.
The dismantling of Bruford’s network serves as a stark reminder of the dangers associated with drug trafficking and the lengths to which some criminals will go to protect their illegal enterprises.
